Naina placed Sameer's mug next to him... and noticed the empty glass. She picked it up, furrowing her brows, "Maine toh do sip hi liye the. Yeh khaali kaise?"

"Nainaaaa. Meri movie finish ho gayi. Mujhe bhook lagi hai." Ayush hollered from his room.

Thankful for the distraction, Sameer answered loudly, "Hey partner. Bahar aa jao."

Next instant, the door to his room opened with a force, and Ayush raced out, his face lit up, "Sameer."

The smile on Sameer's face was equally bright as he touched his fist gently to Ayush's tiny fist that he had forwarded energetically, "Missed you."

"Aap aaj hi aa gaye mujhe lene? Aaj toh Sunday nahi hai." Ayush raised his brows.

The empty glass took a backseat as Naina put it away and looked at Ayush, "Lene nahi aaye hai. Aur kal bhi nahi jaa sakta. Itni baarish mein na garden mein cricket ya football khel sakte hain na terrace pe jhoola jhool sakte hain."

Ayush pouted for a second, then flashed a bright smile, flicking his head at Sameer, "Toh aaj hum yahin khelenge. Okay?"

Sameer gave him a hi five, agreeing instantly.

Naina was amazed to see the way Ayush climbed on the sofa chair and went behind Sameer.

"Yeh kya kar raha hai, Ayush. Theek se baith na." She admonished him.

Leaning on Sameer back, he wrapped his little arms around his neck and grinned, "Cheeni ki bori ban raha hun. Woh mujhe aise hi terrace pe ghumate hain."

Her eyes filled with surprise, which was replaced by concern next moment and she frantically pulled Ayush's arm, "Aaj nahi. Sameer ko chot lagi hai. Unhe dard hoga."

The words were out before she could relate them to the incident of previous day. His eyes shot up to her, the scene flashing in their minds at the same time. Lowering her eyes, Naina turned crimson. Her heartbeat accelerated without warning, the image and her own reaction making her palms sweat. Sameer couldn't take his eyes off her. The colour on her face took his breath away. He had also felt a loss of heartbeat at the mention, but seeing the effect on her, his heart jumped in excitement.

Ayush saved them again, tugging at Sameer's arm after he jumped off the seat from the side, "Aapko chot lag gayi? Kaise lagi?"

Sameer looked away instantly, before Naina could lift her eyes to find him gawking at her. Turning to Ayush, he tried to sound normal, "Main gir gaya."

Naina sat on the opposite chair, biting her lip. It wouldn't be possible any time soon to put behind the happenings of last night and behave casually.

"Haww. Aap itne big hoke bhi gir gaye? Aap run kar rahe the kya?" Ayush asked with rounded innocent eyes.

Sameer shook his head, "Baarish ki wajah se. Paani tha... usmein phisal gaya."

Naina put her coffee mug to her lips, to disguise their quivering.

Ayush nodded in understanding, "Achha baarish mein gir gaye. Main bhi gira tha school mein two days pehle. Dekho mujhe bhi chot lagi." He twisted his arm to show his bruised elbow.

Sameer held his arm, looking carefully at the reddish mark with concern, "Oh no! Tumhe dard ho raha hai?"

Ayush vehemently shook his head, "Nahi toh. main strong hun na. Naina ne two two kissi kar di, uske baad dard hua hi nahi. Mujhe jab bhi chot lagti hai Naina kissi kar deti hai."

Before he could say something atrocious and embarrass her further, Naina got up and held Ayush's hand, dragging him to the kitchen, "Tujhe bhook lagi hai na. Bata kaunse biscuit khayega."

A blushing yet determined smile spread on Sameer's face, as he realised what he would receive every time he got even a small scratch... not very long from now.

Ayush was back from the kitchen shortly, a bowl in his hand with coin sized chocolate cookies. He offered them to Sameer, who refused. The two of them went to his room, where Ayush could sit still only for a while, before he started to run around, Sameer chasing him playfully. Since Naina had already prepared lunch, she didn't know how to occupy herself. Having nothing else to do, she decided to try out a new recipe she had seen few days back on the net. She was intrigued with the dish, having never heard of it before. Now seemed to be the perfect time as Ayush was busy with Sameer and there was no other work.

It was about half an hour later that a sweet smell wafting out of the kitchen made Sameer glance in that direction.

"Sameer, yeh wale homework mein bhi star mila mujhe. Dekho." Ayush placed one hand on his cheek and turned his face towards himself.

"Huh... haan very good." Sameer tried to focus on what Ayush was showing him. But his curiosity got the better of him next moment.

"Main abhi paani pike aaya." He ruffled Ayush's hair and went out.

"Umm Naina, tum kya bana rahi ho?" He stopped at the door, watching her back as she stood next to the stove, stirring a wok.

Startled at his voice, she turned to him.

"What's this?" Sameer took two steps inside. He wanted to see himself to be sure but didn't go too close to her.

"Yeh... yeh ek new dish hai. Net pe dekhi thi. First time try kar rahi hun." She replied.

"Alu ka halwa?" He couldn't wait anymore to get confirmation on the familiar smell.

Her eyes widened, "Aapko... aapko kaise pata? Maine toh kabhi iska naam tak nahi suna tha."

"Mera favourite hai. Kal banaya tha mummy ne, contract ko celebrate karne ke liye. Kuch bhi special hota hai na mujhse concerned, toh mummy alu ka halwa hi banati hain." Unable to wait anymore, Sameer reached the platform, peering into the golden brown mixture in the wide casserole.

"Maine toh aise hi bana diya. Koi occasion nahi, na kuch special. Bas recipe dekh ke laga try karti hun. Alu se bohot kuch banati hun lekin kabhi meetha kuch nahi banaya. Isliye aaj socha... pata nahi kaisa bana hoga. Maine kabhi khaya bhi nahi hai pehle." Naina straightened, pushing away a strand of hair falling on her forehead.

If her small gesture made his heart flutter, the halwa made his heart swell. It was a special day for him... getting the tag of Naina's husband today made this the best day... and just like every special occasion since his childhood, this day would become sweeter with his favourite dessert. It had to be an omen, he was sure. Whether Bhalla aunty's prayers to her rabb ji were reaching the right destination, or his pleas to the moon were working, he didn't know. But the wish he had made last night, of getting together with Naina, seemed to have paved a way in their life. This wish would soon get a blue tick, like his other ones. Someone up there definitely liked him.

"Main... taste karun?" He raised his brows.

"Agar achha nahi hua toh? I have no idea kaisa hona chahiye." Naina was apprehensive.

"Isiliye keh raha hun, expert ko taste karao. Waise khushbu se maine already guess kar liya hai... it would be absolutely delicious." Sameer rubbed his hands impatiently.

Naina scooped a ladle full, placed it in a bowl and handed to him, along with a spoon.

Sameer quickly took a heaped spoon, and put it in his mouth, before Naina could warn him.

"Ahhh." He waved his hand frantically in front of his mouth as hot halwa scalded his tongue.

"Offo aap toh Ayush ke jaise karte hain. Do second ruk nahi sakte the." Naina rushed to get the canister of sugar.

Sameer had gulped down the halwa by the time she got the jar and a spoon, "Yeh lijiye... this will help."

With bowl in one hand and spoon in other, Sameer didn't hesitate even for a moment before opening his mouth. Naina hadn't expected him to do any such thing. She stood like a statue, her breath halted.

"Naina, jal raha hai jaldi karo." He hissed, hoping he was showing the right amount of pain... halwa wasn't that hot.

Pushing away her scepticism, she filled up a spoon from the sugar jar and put it in his mouth, drawing it out slowly as he closed his lips around it.

"Better hua?" She asked eagerly after a while.

He dipped his head, "Ekdum theek ho gaya. Yeh kya kamaal remedy hai. Tumhare paas aise aur bhi nuskhe hain kya?"

"Haan. Sardi ho toh adrak wali chai, haath jal jaaye toh toothpaste, knife se cut aa jaye toh..." She started to tell him when he laughed in between.

"Toothpaste? Haath jal gaya toh jaake brush karne se kaise theek hoga? Naina, kuch bhi mat bolo." He smirked.

"Brush nahi karna, toothpaste lagana hai jale hue pe, buddhu."

The realisation hit her few seconds late. Her hands clasped over her mouth and her eyes turned into saucers.

"I'm... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean it... I'm really sorry..." Sameer held up one hand to stop her frenzied blabber.

"It's okay. Thoda buddhu hun main... I admit." He smiled, shrugging.

The colour made its way on her cheeks. Sameer shifted his attention to the bowl in hand, before she turned uncomfortable, or fled.

"Oh wow Naina. Kya halwa hai. Ekdam perfect. I don't believe tumne pehli baar banaya hai." He gulped down quick dollops, emptying the bowl in no time.

The awkwardness vanished as Naina gave him a surprised look, "Sach mein achha hai kya? Maine toh first time hi banaya hai."

"Mmmm bohot achha. Love it." He closed his eyes, relishing the lingering taste.

Ayush came to stand in the doorway with his hands on waist, frowning at Sameer, "Kitna saara paani pite ho aap. Main kitni der se wait kar raha hun."

"Hush Ayush. Aise nahi bolte." Naina scowled at him.

Before he could complain more, Sameer picked him up in his arms and brought him near the wok, "Yeh kya hai pata hai tumhe?"

Ayush looked at it with perplexed eyes, then shook his head.

"Alu ka halwa. Mera favourite hai. Tum khaoge toh tumhara bhi ban jayega." Sameer flicked his brows excitedly.

Ayush turned to look at Naina, "Mujhe khana hai."

"Abhi nahi Ayush. Lunch ke baad. Warna tu khana nahi khayega." Naina was aware of his sweet tooth, and was sure that he wouldn't stop at one helping.

"Toh mujhe khana do. Mujhe abhi lunch karna hai." Ayush pouted.

Naina wasn't sure whether she should offer lunch to Sameer... but it would look rude if she didn't.

She looked at him, "You'd like to join us for lunch?"

"If you don't mind. Kyonki mujhe aur halwa khana hai aur woh toh lunch ke baad hi milega." Sameer readily accepted.

The three of them sitting at the same table, eating a simple lunch of matar paneer and dal with chapati... Sameer felt a sense of bliss which he knew was just a trailer of his coming life.

Sunday was better weather wise when the day began. Though the sky remained overcast with thick clouds, it was windy and there were only scanty showers since morning. Naina and Ayush were busy making a fort with his building blocks when her phone rang around mid morning.

"Hi behen, kya kar rahi hai?" Preeti's chirpy voice brought a smile to her face.

"Hi Preeti. How are you?" She answered her question with a question.

"Offo. Itni formal baatein kaun karta hai yaar. Yeh bata, aaj Sunday kaise celebrate kar rahi hai?" Preeti asked in an enthusiastic voice.

Naina chuckled, "Sunday hai, Diwali nahi. Celebrate kya karna hai. Upar se baarish. Aur meri car..." She paused, not intending to reveal the entire scenario.

The break in her sentence made Preeti announce her plan, "Toh decided. Hum dono aaj ka din saath spend karenge if it's okay with you. I mean, meri company chalegi na tujhe?"

"Of course Preeti. You are most welcome. Tum kabhi bhi aa jao. Main poora din ghar pe hi hun. In fact, have lunch with me." Naina extended the invitation.

Preeti huffed at the other end, "Aisa red carpet type invite mat de. Lunch hi nahi main toh sham ko chai ke saath pakode bhi khaungi. See you in half an hour."

Naina looked at the phone after the call ended, smiling in admiration at Preeti's cheerfulness.

Ayush was thrilled to see Preeti. She brought a jar of candies for him, and a colouring book of his favourite superheroes.

"Preeti, aapko kaise pata ki mujhe yehi candies pasand hain?" Ayush asked, his eyes shining as he gazed at the jar kept on the table, two candies in his hand.

Scooping him in her arms, she lowered her head to come to his level, and narrowed her eyes, "Woh kya hai na, jab main choti thi tab main bhi aise hi kehti thi sabse jo mere liye candies ya chocolate laate the... ki woh meri favourite wali laaye hain. Pata hai kyon? Jisse woh next time bhi layein."

It took Ayush a few seconds to understand, then he grinned sheepishly, "Naiii, yeh sachhi mei meri favourite hain. Naina se puch lo."

Preeti raised her brows at naina, "Usse toh mujhe yeh puchna hai ki uska favourite kya hai. Aaj shop mein samajh hi nahi aaya ki Naina ke liye kya lun. Phir pata chala meri behen ko coffee bohot pasand hai. Isliye maine decide kiya ki aaj main coffee banaungi Naina ke liye bhi aur apne liye bhi."

"Arre waah. Mujhe nahi pata tha meri pasand napasand Delhi ke shopkeepers ko bhi pata hai." Naina smiled, though she was a bit surprised.

Ayush wriggled out of Preeti's hold, impatient to start colouring in his new book.

Preeti stood up, bending her arm to place the elbow on Naina's shoulder, and said in a contrite tone, "Sorry to say behen, par tu abhi itni bhi famous nahi hui hai."

Naina couldn't help but giggle... till Preeti uttered the next sentence, "Sameer ne bataya mujhe."

The laugh died in her throat, "Sa... Sameer ne?"

Unaware of her changed expression, Preeti plunged on the sofa, looking around, "Kya hua na, maine tera number lene ke liye Sameer ko phone kiya. Usse jab pata chala ki main aaj yahan aa rahi hun toh usne kaha woh bhi issi side aa raha hai, kisi friend ke yahan, toh mujhe drop kar dega. I said chalo achha hai. Actually US ki right side wali driving ki aadat hai na mujhe, thoda time lagega yahan comfortable hone mein. Sameer ke saath aate hue shop mein ruki toh soch rahi thi kya lun. Ussi ne Ayush ke liye gift suggest kiya. Maine socha ho sakta hai tera favourite bhi pata ho... after all roz saath hote ho office mein par woh ab tak duffer hi hai ladkiyon ko notice karne ke case mein. Kehne laga mujhe toh bas itna pata hai Naina ko coffee pasand hai. Maine kaha yaar Sameer, coffee toh sabko pasand hoti hai kuch specific hona chahhiye. But he had no idea. So here I am, ready to make your favourite coffee for you, kyonki tere sabse close jisko jaanti hun usse tere baare mein kuch pata hi nahi hai."

Naina kept on looking at her with wide eyes as Preeti narrated the long monologue, without stopping even once. What she said about Sameer shocked her. Of course he wouldn't know about her favourites. How could he... even though they had developed a bond of friendship, there was no occasion when they discussed their choices. Also, he wasn't the closest to her.

Preeti got up and went to the kitchen. After observing everything in quick glances around, she flicked her brows, "Kya mast clean and organised hai yaar tera kitchen. Mera ghar dekhti na US mein toh heart attack aa jata tujhe. Mujhe khud ek ghanta lagta tha kuch bhi dhoondne mein."

Amidst her interminable chatter, interspersed with crackles of laughter, coffee was prepared. They both came out with their mugs, and a bowl of nachos. Preeti was a lively, affable company, Naina realised. She left her in splits with anecdotes of her stint in the US. They together had lunch of rajma and rice that Naina had prepared. Naina was amazed at how easily she had made herself comfortable in the house she was visiting for the first time.

Sitting cross legged on the sofa, facing the side to look at her, she animatedly narrated how, on few occasions, she was asked to leave the premises where she went for reporting, as a journalist.

Spreading her palms wide, she rounded her eyes, "I was like, dude main chali gayi toh news kaun prepare karega. I literally had to show my id everywhere to prove my age. Clubs mein bhi keh dete the... sorry babe, you are not the right age. Kitno ko jhada maine. I said, O hello... height choti hai toh iska matlab yeh nahi ki tum mujhe goud lelo."

Another burst of laughter left Naina as she imagined Preeti spitting fire at some heavily muscled club gateman, her hands on waist as the man, who was several sizes taller than her, looked down, completely zapped. Since the clubs usually hired much taller and well built men for security, Naina found it extremely hilarious to see such a person getting intimidated by someone who was less than half in height.

"Hans le tu bhi. Sameer aur Rohan bhi aise hi hanste hain jab unko kuch batati hun. I tell you, inn ladkon ne mujhe official clown ka title de rakha tha group mein." Preeti pouted for a moment, then shrugged nonchalantly, "Waise I don't mind. Kyonki main bhi sabko joker hi bolti thi... Sameer ke alava."

"Matlab?" Curiousity got better of her as the query slipped out before Naina could stop herself.

Preeti adjusted her posture, getting ready to start another enlightening conversation, "Kya hai na, yeh Sameer shuru se thoda serious type tha... you know, prim and proper. School mein hamare saath thodi bohot masti kar leta tha lekin main aur Rohan zyada hi mischievous the. Sanjay aur Raghav toh full on hamare partner ban jaate the, lekin Sameer was like... nahi aisa nahi karenge, waisa mat karo, class bunk kaise kar sakte hain and all that. You won't believe Naina, kabhi kabhi toh usse forcefully apne plan mein include karna padta tha."

This wasn't much difficult for naina to imagine, because she had seen him quite serious in his work all the time.

"But he's a sweetheart." Preeti smiled fondly. "Aaj bhi utna hi cute aur innocent hai jitna school mein tha."

Looking around to make sure that Ayush wasn't within hearing range, she lowered her voice, "Girls se aise bhagta tha ki pucho mat."

Naina swallowed, her expression unchanged.

Preeti continued, "He was the most handsome dude of our school. Obviously ladkiyan marti thi uspe. Kitni girls ne kaha mujhe, usse setting karane ko but apna baba..." She snickered, "Uski aloof rehne ki aadat ki wajah se hum usse baba kehke tease karte the... kehte the ki usko shayad sanyas hi lena padega."

"Agar tum sab itne playful the aur woh itne alag, toh sab ek group mein kaise the?" Naina asked curiously.

Preeti smiled again, her eyes filled with admiration, "Kyonki he is too sweet. Ab toh tum bhi kuch months se uske saath kaam kar rahi ho... isn't he a gem? I mean, how can someone not love him."

Naina raised her brows, "You love him?"

"Of course I do. Sameer hai hi aisa." Preeti accepted without any hesitation.

Something shifted inside her, as she recalled Preeti's visit to their office, and the way Sameer's face had lit up.

"Sameer toh hum sab ki jaan hai. Waise hum paanchon hi ek doosre ki jaan hain lekin Sameer ke liye hum sab yehi chahte hain ki usse apne jaisi koi bohot hi pyari si, hopelessly romatic ladki mile. He's such a softie when it comes to matters of heart." Preeti left Naina more confused.

"But you said you love him." She blurted instantly.

Preeti looked at her with furrowed brows, till realisation dawned on her, and her brows hit the top of her head, "Oh no no no no. I love him but I'm not 'IN LOVE' with him. I mean... kaise bataun yaar, usse bachpan se na ek elder brother jaisa dekha hai maine. Uske saath ka bond alag hi hai. Rohan is like a buddy, my partner in everything... Sanjay Raghav are like guides and mentors. Lekin Sameer... woh na silently saath rehta hai. Means... woh preach ya judge nahi karega, full support dega.. phir bhi galat nahi karne dega kuch. School college mein hamari baton mein aake masti kar leta tha par humein control mein bhi wohi rakhta tha. Hum badmashon ke group ko sambhalne ke liye woh hi ek sane banda hai. Warna hum shayad kisi na kisi point pe rusticate ho jaate nahi toh suspend toh zarur ho jaate. And for me, he's been always so protective. Not that I need any guy to protect me... main khud chaar paanch ko dher kar sakti hun, karate champion hun."

Naina smiled widely, "Oh wow! That's wonderful."

Before they could talk more, Ayush came out hopping, colouring book in his hand, "Preeti, dekho, maine kaisa colour kiya hai. Achha banaya hai na Spiderman?"

Preeti took the open book in her hand, "Achha! Arre yaar, tune toh ekdum top class Spiderman bana diya. Woh dekh lega toh bolega 'nahi, yeh drawing nahi hai, yeh toh meri picture click ki hai kisi ne'... itni perfect hai."

Ayush grinned smugly, "Main aisi hi achhi colouring karta hun. Ma'm bhi yehi kehti hain aur Sameer bhi."

"Arre waah, Sameer ne bhi teri drawings dekhi hain?" Preeti asked.

"Haan dekhi hain. Jab bhi woh aate hain main saari drawings dikhata hun. Unko bhi meri colouring bohot nice lagti hai." Ayush replied in the same tone.

When Preeti looked up at Naina, her eyes were full of dismay, "Sameer yahan aksar aata hai kya?"

Next update on Friday